Shouldn’t be too long until this starts off now, not much has been released with regards to panels yet and such.
Cavan will be going for five in a row in Ulster. The draw has been very lopsided though and Tyrone look a very good shout to make the final as they are on the same side of the draw as Antrim, Fermanagh and Armagh. The other side is much more difficult to tell with Cavan having dominated this level for a while but Monaghan and Donegal have picked up the last two minor titles in Ulster and have a few established senior players in their ranks. Derry, talent wise, have the best u21 side in the province but they look like they will be without a vast amount of their better players with the Slaughtneil contingent apparently not committing due to club commitments, Gareth McKinless suspended and I don’t know what’s the story with Ryan Bell since he exploded onto the scene in 2013 but I don’t think he’s involved either.
Canavan and Dooher make up part of Fergal Lohan’s backroom team for Tyrone and with Peter Donnelly on board there would be renewed hope that Tyrone might finally get their act together at this level. The only senior panelists on the squad will be Cathal McShane and Rory Brennan but the side should predominantly be backboned by the All Ireland minor runners up of 2013. They do have plenty of forward talent with the likes of Bradley, Brennan, McNulty, McGeary and Cassidy so I’m very interested to see if Peter Donnelly has made any impact on these lads.
Not too clued in on the other provinces but you’d expect Connacht to be between Roscommon, Mayo and Galway. Dublin to take Leinster and Kerry and Cork for Munster.
Presume due to players being involved in both codes and involvement with senior intercounty teams, college teams etc. Easier to run it off now rather than over the summer?
Dublin are very good and this Laois team would be vulnerable defensively. They have some potent forwards, but I don’t see them getting the goals they got against a hapless Wexford outfit last time out. Cormas Costello is only on the bench though so thats something I guess.
You have to realise nothing has been happening at underage in Laois for 10 years or so now. In last years U21 we were beaten by Longford who were easily dismissed by Dublin afterwards, the year prior Kildare beat Laois by 24 points, and year before that Dublin beat them 2-21 to 0-4. While of course it could be different for this set of U21’s, a look back at the minor 3 years ago will tell you Louth beat them by 6 points in 2011 and Wicklow and Longford beat them in 2012.
Oh and Leitrim beat them in the Hastings Cup a few weeks ago.
I’d love to see them do something for the sake of Derek Conroy over them, but Dublin, regardless of home advantage, is an unfortunate draw. Bet away, and here’s hoping you lose your money for our sake.
[QUOTE=“downyourthroats, post: 1101398, member: 1497”]How much will Dublin beat Laois by tonight?
The handicap is 7 points.[/QUOTE]
Put the house on it. Laois are in a race to the bottom of GAA counties. Not a lot of intelligence in that county it seems.
Dubs can be sketchy first time out. I remember being at that Longford game 2 or 3 years ago and they were bullied off the park. However i know one of the lads on the Dublin bench tonight and he said competition for places is fierce. I don’t see Con O’Callaghan from minors of last 2 years named in the 30 man panel. If he is not injured then there must be some unreal forwards keeping him out as he is a class act.
Laois kicking wides to beat the band, but have two goals and trail Dublin 2-5 to 1-11 at the break. Killian O Gara has about 1-3 and looks the absolute spit of his brother.